COVER STORY
reviewed and validated the accuracy of each listing. Williams used The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal as a primary source of information to compile the refer- ence section. Scott utilized additional Fraternity archive resources to conduct his review and modify this data.
Multitasking as Authors and Conducting Administrative Affairs
Scott and Williams were working full-time while conducting the author- ship of the book. Every spare moment obtained was utilized to complete each task. Scott set an ambitious deadline for the book’s publication. He sought to have the book ready for distribution during the 86th Grand Chapter Meet- ing in the summer of 2023. Aside from managing personal and professional responsibilities while working on writing and editing the book, Scott and Williams also needed to manage the administrative functions. Scott and Williams needed to find a publishing company for the book. Sev- eral publishing companies were identi- fied to potentially become the book’s publisher. Scott and Williams formed a committee consisting of International Headquarters Deputy Director Ryan Tucker, Director of Risk Prevention & Education Jason Hall, Publicity & Pub- lications Commission Chairman Cleve- land Ferguson III and Chief Operating Assistant to the 33 rd Grand Polemarch Leo T. Brown to assist with creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) for these companies. The RFP was sent, and no response was received. The committee subsequently learned that the publish- ing companies do not respond to RFPs. Each of the publishing companies was then contacted personally. Sheri- dan Publishing was found to satisfy our needs and was selected. Administra- tive Membership Manager Marilyn L. Brock, and Fraternity National Webmaster Josepher L. Williams were subsequently added to the aforemen-
Aaron Williams and Grand Historian Kevin Scott
tioned administrative committee to play particular roles in launching and managing the book sales for Interna- tional Headquarters. Williams led the effort to obtain costs and other operational informa- tion from the publisher. He developed a spreadsheet so that a price for the book could be determined. Scott and Williams met with Executive Direc- tor Burrell, the Fraternity’s Executive Committee, and the Grand Board of Directors. These meetings determined and approved the logistics of book distribution and pricing.
versions of the 6 th ed, into public and college libraries. Also, an evaluation of the 6 th ed. is required to determine when an audiobook is feasible.
Not an Individual Effort
As Founder Grant stated in 1955, regarding the 1st ed. of The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, “When the history of Kappa Alpha Psi is written, it will be the handiwork of many brothers, without their aid, there will be no comprehensive history of Kappa Alpha Psi.” The same remains true in this case with the 6th ed. The authors are greatly indebted to all the brothers and others who have played roles, large and small, that contributed to making the 6 th ed. a reality and set a new standard to heights never reached before and for others to emulate.
Post-Launch
After the 6 th ed. is available for pur- chase, Scott and Williams have further tasks to complete. First, all documents and images associated with the 6 th ed., such as early draft manuscripts, presentations, and images require cloud storage as Fraternity artifacts for Kappa’s perpetual historical retention. They need to collaborate with the pub- lisher to get both printed and e-book
16 | WINTER - SPRING 2022 ♦ THE JOURNAL
PUBLISHING ACHIEVEMENT IN EVERY FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR
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